Outcomes After Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement
General Medicine Summary and Comment
The procedure is an option for high-risk patients with severe aortic stenosis.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 24, 2012
Covering:
Kodali SK et al., N Engl J Med 2012 May 3; 366:1686
Makkar RR et al., N Engl J Med 2012 May 3; 366:1696
Geriatric Depression as a Harbinger of Dementia
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
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Similar white-matter findings in remitted geriatric depression and mild cognitive impairment suggest that they may progress similarly to Alzheimer disease.
In Alzheimer Disease, Antioxidants Hurt
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Antioxidants do not improve AD biomarkers and adversely affect cognition.
Autologous BMC Therapy for Heart Failure Disappoints in Phase II Trial
Cardiology Summary and Comment
Transendocardial cell administration fails to improve left ventricular systolic function, maximal oxygen consumption, or defect size.
Screening ECG Abnormalities Portend Adverse Cardiac Events in Older Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
But cost-benefit analysis is required before routine screening can be recommended.
By Thomas L. Schwenk, MD
April 17, 2012
Covering:
Auer R et al., JAMA 2012 Apr 11; 307:1497
Greenland P., JAMA 2012 Apr 11; 307:1530
Motor Restlessness in Parkinson Disease
Neurology Summary and Comment
A comparison of unmedicated patients with Parkinson disease and controls showed a nearly three times increased prevalence of leg motor restlessness but not typical restless legs syndrome.
By Brian J. Murray, MD, FRCPC D, ABSM
April 17, 2012
Covering:
Gjerstad MD et al., Neurology 2011 Nov 29; 77:1941
The 23-mg Donepezil Dilemma
Neurology News in Context
Criticism of FDA approval of higher-dose donepezil escalates from consumer advocacy groups to health policy clinicians
Antidepressants in Dementia: To Stop or Not?
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
Free
Some patients have increased symptoms after SSRI discontinuation, but most do well.
Is Losartan as Good as Candesartan for HF?
Cardiology Summary and Comment
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A registry study suggests that it is, although the data contain many gaps.
Danish Findings Show Neither Benefit nor Harm of HRT After Myocardial Infarction
Cardiology Summary and Comment
However, population-wide observational data are potentially useful for estimating risk in individual patients.
Drug Directed at ApoE Production is Successful in Mouse Models of Alzheimer Disease
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Bexarotene — FDA-approved for cutaneous T-cell lymphomas — reversed neural pathology and cognitive deficits; too good to be true?
By Anthony L. Komaroff, MD
April 10, 2012
Covering:
Cramer PE et al., Science 2012 Mar 23; 335:1503
Strittmatter WJ., Science 2012 Mar 23; 335:1447
A New Potential Therapeutic Pathway for Alzheimer Disease
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
High levels of histone deacetylase 2 in animals and humans are associated with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment.
"Silent" Cerebral Emboli May Hasten Progression of Dementia
General Medicine Summary and Comment
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This finding was noted both in patients with Alzheimer disease and those with vascular dementia.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
April 5, 2012
Covering:
Purandare N et al., Am J Psychiatry 2012 Mar 1; 169:300
Doraiswamy PM., Am J Psychiatry 2012 Mar 1; 169:251
Alzheimer Disease and Cancer: An Inverse Relation?
General Medicine Summary and Comment
Framingham data support this biologically plausible phenomenon.
Distinguishing FTD from Depression
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A specific neuropsychological assessment shows promise.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Bertoux M et al., J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012 Apr; 83:411
A New Quick Way to Assess Alzheimer Disease
Psychiatry Summary and Comment
A neuropsychological test captures the episodic memory deficit associated with AD, even early in the disease process.
By Jonathan Silver, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Wagner M et al., Neurology 2012 Feb 7; 78:379
Swerdlow RH and Jicha GA., Neurology 2012 Feb 7; 78:374
Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Replacement: A Lasting Option for Selected Patients
Cardiology Summary and Comment
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The clinical benefit of TAVR in inoperable patients with severe aortic stenosis is sustained for up to 2 years.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Makkar RR et al. for the PARTNER Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 26
Two-Year Follow-Up After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Cardiology Summary and Comment
TAVR remains a good alternative to surgery in high-risk patients, according to the latest data from the PARTNER randomized trial.
By Beat J. Meyer, MD
March 26, 2012
Covering:
Kodali S et al. for the PARTNER Trial Investigators., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 26
Managing Drug Therapies as Alzheimer Disease Progresses
General Medicine Summary and Comment
After several years of donepezil therapy, donepezil (but not memantine) conferred modest benefits.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 20, 2012
Covering:
Howard R et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 8; 366:893
A New Tool to Predict Delirium in ICU Patients
Neurology Summary and Comment
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A new prediction rule can help identify critically ill patients at high risk for delirium.
By Vanja C. Douglas, MD
March 20, 2012
Covering:
van den Boogaard M et al., BMJ 2012 Feb 9; 344:e420
CT Shows Age-Related Downward Shift of Midfacial Fat Compartments
Dermatology Summary and Comment
Better understanding of age-related changes in facial fat distribution could improve rejuvenation efforts.
By Murad Alam, MD, MSCI
March 16, 2012
Covering:
Gierloff M et al., Plast Reconstr Surg 2012 Jan; 129:263
The European Prostate Cancer Screening Study: An Update
After 2 additional years of follow-up, results confirmed that PSA screening reduced prostate cancer mortality but did not affect overall mortality.
By Robert Dreicer, MD, MS, FACP
March 14, 2012
Covering:
Schröder FH et al., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 15; 366:981
Miller AB., N Engl J Med 2012 Mar 15; 366:1047
Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation in Older Adults
General Medicine Summary and Comment
A randomized trial found no effect on cancer or vascular mortality.
By Allan S. Brett, MD
March 13, 2012
Covering:
Avenell A et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2012 Feb; 97:614
Forehead Wrinkles Were Improved over a Wider Area with More-Dilute Botulinum Toxin
Dermatology Summary and Comment
This approach could save costs, widen the improvement, and prevent adverse effects.
Codifying the Stages of Reproductive Aging
Women's Health Summary and Comment
Free
An enhanced classification scheme for changes that occur before and after the final menstrual period
